Master of Science in Accountancy – Assurance Services Track

The Assurance Services track of Wake Forest’s Master of Science in Accountancy prepares students for exciting consulting careers across a range of public and private industries.

Accountants who specialize in assurance services help to improve the flow of accurate and trustworthy financial information to an organization’s decision-makers. They regularly assess risk as an effort to increase transparency and improve strategic outcomes.
 

What You Will Learn

The Assurance Services MSA program provides exposure to leading Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) tools and techniques and related key business risks with a special emphasis on privacy, cybersecurity, IT, and operational risk assessments, as well as mitigating controls and operational enhancement. Coursework also leads to refined knowledge in industry-specific fraud risks within healthcare, retail banking, construction, insurance, and related mitigating controls.

Within this field, accountants must be highly collaborative, excellent communicators, and intuitive. Accordingly, students in the Assurance Services program study fraudulent financial reporting, assess theft schemes, develop interviewing techniques, and utilize investigative tools such as social networking and public record searches.

The rigorous curriculum includes case studies from industry-leading organizations such as EY, KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte that show the real-world application of course concepts. Students also learn how to navigate the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Codification and create research-based memos on important financial accounting standards for senior leadership within an organization.
 

Curriculum

Courses in the Assurance Services track include:

• Enterprise Risk Management
• Accounting Research & Communication
• Forensic Accounting and Analytical Procedures
• Advanced Auditing and Assurance Services

Review the full MSA degree curriculum, including foundational courses.
 

Why pursue the assurance services track?

Accountants that specialize in the assurance services area are highly sought after for their expertise. In particular, regulated publicly traded companies require assurance-focused accountants to ensure the company is operating ethically, efficiently, and within the bounds of legal regulations.

This field also opens the door to a more in-depth understanding of financial accounting, which offers further career specialization opportunities traveling to consult for clients nationwide.

Wake Forest’s MSA program has a CPA exam pass rate over 30 percentage points higher than the national average, ensuring students are well-prepared for immediate career success and advancement.

Career Paths in Assurance Services

Graduates of the MSA – Assurance Services program can go on to a range of exciting career paths, such as:

• Financial Risk Management
• Forensic Accounting
• Investment Auditing
• Financial Reporting

Program Structure

The coursework for the Assurance Services track is delivered through both synchronous and asynchronous classes, seamlessly fitting within busy schedules while maximizing student-faculty engagement and active application of course materials. 

Synchronous Classes

Students solve problems together in class, review current events in accounting, and complete quizzes on the material.

Asynchronous Materials

Class materials are also available online for asynchronous work and study.
 

Renowned MSA Faculty

Assurance Services track students learn from Wake Forest’s expert MSA faculty that are seasoned professionals in their field as well as the world of academia. 

Dr. Doug Beets

Professor
336-758-5027 | email

Dr. Beets earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Tennessee and his master’s and doctoral degrees from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Professor Beets has been published in the Journal of Academic Ethics, the Journal of Business Ethics, the Journal of Global Ethics, and the Business & Society Review. He currently teaches the Introduction to Auditing course.

John Butler

Visiting Professor of the Practice
336-758-8027 | email

Professor Butler is a professor of practice at Wake Forest University School of Business and is currently a partner of Crosland Southeast, a real estate developer. Professor Butler teaches Enterprise Risk Management in the MS of Accountancy program. He earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting & Finance at the University of Notre Dame and his Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

He has served as the Chief Financial Officer for Valor Telecom, Clearwire, and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Housing Partnership. Professor Butler also served as the CEO & President of Digitalbridge Communications.

George Aldhizer

Associate Professor of Accountancy
336-758-5778 | email

Dr. George Aldhizer is an Associate Professor of Accounting at Wake Forest University School of Business. Professor Aldhizer earned his undergraduate degree in Accounting from the University of Richmond and then went on to earn his PhD. in Research Methods/Accounting from Texas Tech University.

He has been published in the CPA Journal, the New York State Society of CPAs, the Journal of Government Financial Management, and the Journal of Information Systems. Dr. Aldhizer teaches Forensic Accounting, Advanced Audit, and Accounting Research & Communication.
 

Enter the Field of Financial Auditing

The Assurance Services track of Wake Forest’s Master of Science in Accountancy degree trains students to be objective financial auditors, supporting an efficient flow of accurate, impactful strategic information.

Request more information to get started in Wake Forest’s MSA degree program.